How do YOU get positive reinforcement?

Today, I finally went to get a check-up with my Dr.-- I haven't had an official check up in many years.
{I know I should of gone much sooner, I even know the things I need to work on.}
I have many excuses for this, but the thought that come September I turn 40, has motivated me to get up offa my butt.
I took my husband with me to the Dr. visit, I needed someone to help me be accountable, and although my husband has high blood pressure and diabetes-
-ah, hem... I knew that having him there would help me -- to listen and really HEAR what the Dr. had to say.
The Dr was kind enough...cough,cough to suggest that I get a Tetnus shot-- I guess she took one look at Jerry and thought I needed it? ha ha ... :)
She also suggested that I fill out the form for a living will -- which sounded good-- I do like to be prepared.
But, while I was waiting for the lab coated vampire to take my blood
I thought about how and way most people (mom's) I know don't like the Dr.'s office
there isn't much reward in it.
you pay the co-pay
you hopefully go without your kids
you get scolded?....admonished to live healthier
you get a shot...oh, JOY!
you get blood drawn... now, wasn't that fun?
you get to go purchase meds...FUN!
you make another appointment to be seen again
and then the process starts all over again.
Unless you are super healthy ~
how are you getting positive reinforcement
to come back to the Dr.'s office???

It's kinda like when you get a ticket and the officer says, "Have a nice day!"? really???
who gets a ticket and then puts a smile on their face and has a "nice"day???

So, anyway... that all being said~
I am going to live healthier-- I am going to move more and eat less.
I am going to hope and pray that my next visit to the Dr.'s is less depressing!

Our Christmas shopping is ALMOST done!

Well, we got a good portion of our Christmas shopping done today--

• Shane's done
• Jessica's done
• Jerry's done (mine is mostly done)
• Grandma Jeanne done
• Grandpa Hutch done
• Grandma Leanna done

Now we (I) have to shop for:

Miles,Ryan,Dominic,finish Sara/Peter present,finish pj's for Christopher,Aunt Danni, Uncle Rick, and Jeff, bake pumpkin bread,maybe bake another round of cookies....

Jerry the kids and I got to get our H1N1 vaccines today, the school was having a clinic and so it was FREE, Shane and I got the nose spray.... weird but okay... and Jessica and Jerry got the shot, there were amazingly NO TEARS, only a bit of whining.... WOW!

I needed some new plates, so we got some non breakable--? Corelle plates,bowls and mugs. We also picked up some needed silverware. Gosh, why am I telling you all of this? -- oh yeah so that I can keep track of what I have finished and what I haven't! :)

This morning Jessica came in to say good morning, Jerry and I told her that she looked shorter, --- she didn't laugh-- sarcasm is lost on this child-- We explained that the new bed is SO tall that we thought either she was shorter or the ceiling had fallen!

Jessica came home with a gingerbread house made out of graham crackers, but it had fallen before I got to see it-- so I missed getting a picture--but I hear that the teacher did get one.

Yesterday when Jerry and Shane got their hair cut, Jessica seemed to think that she wanted her hair shorter-- I convinced her that she needed to look at some books first... (she is always asking to have her hair braided or curled and shorter hair would not make those things easy!) Finally, I got her convinced that we could give her a new hairstyle with a flat iron-- I have my fingers crossed that I can make her hair "cute"... She just happens to have the most stubborn hair... wish me luck!

Tasmanian Devil

This picture belongs at the bottom of this post,

and it is somewhat old, but still--

Thanks Grandma for the Mcd's gift certificates!

Well, I am yearning to learn

how to get clip art on to a post~

so please imagine a few cute Tasmanian devils posted

here here and here!

I finally took Shane in for his 5 year appointment with our pediatrician~
only a few months late... ooops!
ah, well...
Shane is 40 pounds--- and 42 inches tall-- what a compact package he is!
While at the Dr's Shane had to put on the ...lovely gown --it just happened to have, Taz, Tweety, and others of that sort on it.
Our Dr mentioned that Taz reminded her of Jerry-- and Shane added that Taz is his favorite, Jessica was nice enough to tell the Dr just how many things we have that are Taz.
{The fact that we have these Taz items bugs me, so I was somewhat embarrassed}
Shane didn't mind being at the Dr office but, he wasn't so sure he wanted to let the Dr examine his tummy and such. He was VERY distracted by the toys. I had to re-direct him quite a few times to get him to answer simple questions. The Dr said, hummm... a little problem with attention?-- Yup, that's my boy!

The visit seemed to be going

well... as can be expected until

the subject of shots came up and then~

Shane got upset, and having his ...dear big sister there made it a challenge--

"But, Shane I had my 5 year old shots and they were fine, "

"No, no, I want only to try the toys out...no, no, no shots for me!"

The nurse who gives the shots, has a son with special needs, so she is very good at making the process of shots go quickly.

When we were all done,

Shane commented that

"Shots, suck mom---

I only ever want to play with the toys,

no more shots for me ever!"

We ended the day by going to the library,stocking up on books,dvd's,and videos,

stopping at Mc Donald's for some small french fries and apple pies.

(Thanks to Grandma's gift certificates!)